Manchester City have 5 Nominations for Ballon D’or

Manchester City have been rewarded for a great campaign last season by having 5 players nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’or awards.

Last year Manchester City bagged an historic return of 4 trophies and came up short only in a single Cup competition – the European Champions League. To describe that season as anything other than earth shattering would be an understatement and yet nominations for both individual and team awards have been light on the ground.

Instead Liverpool who managed to win just the Champions League and failed in all other competitions have somehow been over rewarded for their performances. Indeed they have 7 players in the Ballon d’or nominations, illustrating just how so many people who vote for these things only watch Champions League football, and even then only in the knock out stages!

Still, even if some other teams are over valued it should not detract from the fact City have garnered 5 nominations for our players.

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The Ballon d’or is a competition honouring European football which has been around since 1956. It is awarded by France Football and was until recently partly run by UEFA but those ties have now broken as they their own player of the year awards!

First up for City is the ever golden Kevin De Bruyne. Now last year was an injury hit year for our Kev and in some ways his inclusion is a surprise. We know he is a wonderfully gifted player, probably one of the very best in the world, but last season he did not have opportunities to really impose himself upon games.

Next up is the irrepressible Bernardo Silva – our player of the season for his game changing displays and all action endeavour.

Riyad Mahrez is included despite a campaign where he did not quite achieve the heights which he is capable of. This year he seems so much improved.

Sergio Aguero has been such a fantastic player for us for so long, his inclusion here in the Ballon d’or contenders is brilliant to see. Almost devoid of individual recognition despite being the best ever striker in the Premier League era.

Our final contender and 125/1 outsider to win the competition is the wonderful Raheem Sterling. Last season Raheem not only tore apart the League but also found the time to challenge the portayal of bla k men in the media. If there is any justice in the world he would be walking away with the main prize when it is announced.

There is also an honourable mention due for Ederson who has been nominated for an inaugural goalkeepers award.

So, great to see some recognition at last for these Manchester City players!